Spoke with Kira!

July 27, 2008

Hi Everyone, I was able to speak with Kira today and she sounded wonderful! She is on a weekend trip to stay with a Peace Corp Volunteer who has been in service for about a year. That volunteer had a cell phone and Kira was able to reach me. She says to tell everyone she misses them and can't wait to receive letters! (hint hint)

Kira says it is a real culture shock, but doesn't take too long to begin to adjust. She attends training every day and mostly studies French. Her French has progressed a great deal. In the evenings she stays with her host family. Her 'mom' does not speak French, but rather Hausa. Her 'father' does speak French and the 4 children ranging in age from 13 - 17 all speak a little French. This family is lucky because they have a little electricity. They actually have a TV and Kira says they watch a horrible soap opera in the evenings. The good news is that the show is in French so she gets to practice.

This is their rainy season and Kira described the storms as so severe, that anyone here would think it was the Apocalypse because of the real strange sky color and heavy rains. It is real hot and actually humid this time of year so that has been rather hard. She sleeps outside most nights under her mosquito netting. The flies have been her biggest challenge, they are everywhere. She has to take 'bucket baths' and you have to be selective of the time of day or the flies swarm you. I take it that bathroom time is real interesting, but I will let her explain that some time... Kira says she doubts her feet will ever be clean again.

Kira thinks she will be placed in either Maridi or Konni in Niger. Either way, she should have internet and cell phone access. Once she obtains a cell phone, I will get the number to everyone.

Meanwhile, Kira sounds wonderful. She is still full of excitment and curosity. Sounds like Kira!

Kira Arrives in Africa!

7/11/08 - I received confirmation of Kira's arrival in Niger! Here is a picture of all the new Peace Corps Volunteers ready for training. The email also mentioned they are experiencing their first African Monsoon today. I am sure we will hear about that! Hopefully Kira will be able to post soon.

July 7, 2008 - Look out Africa, here comes Kira!

Hi Everyone - this is Pam (Kira's mom). I am not sure she will be able to post before she officially leaves for Africa, so I thought I would start. Kira left for Philly this morning and met her fellow trainees today. Lots of bonding and preparations over the next 2 days, then Wednesday they head to Africa. She will be located in Niger for the first few months in training. At some point during training, she will learn where she will be stationed for the remainder of her program. She will live with a host family while training, so she will be immersed in the language and culture. Hopefully she will have Internet access occasionally so she can keep us up to date.

Meanwhile, I wanted to express something Kira talked a lot about before leaving. She has amazing family, friends and friends that may as well be family (you know who you are). Baltimore meant a lot to her and she will dearly miss her outings with her drunken cohorts (I mean friends!) Kira struggled leaving all of you, even if only for a short time. Ok - so I am optimistic that it will feel like a short time!

I ask all of you to keep in touch, let Kira know we are proud of her and that we all look forward to the Welcome Home party - currently scheduled for October 2010 at one of the familiar bars in Federal Hill!